I don't know if this related to ROM hacking, but don't ban me or delete this topic, please move it to someplace else that related.
I want to learn about hacking ROM for DS, Wii and 3DS, then what programing language I have to learn? C, C++, Java, ... ? Not only that, maybe hacking other console, too, like PS3, Xbox360, PSP. So which language these console use in common?

I want to learn about hacking ROM for DS, Wii and 3DS, then what programing language I have to learn? C, C++, Java, ... ? Not only that, maybe hacking other console, too, like PS3, Xbox360, PSP. So which language these console use in common?

Click to expand...

Learn to hack rom and learn programming language are totally different things.

You can learn to hack rom without knowing any programming language.

And you can learn any language if you want to create your own programs to help make rom hacking easier.

Ex. If you can open a game rom in hex editor, type something to replace some text and make it appear properly when you play it, that's rom hacking in a very basic level. You can use a hex editor to type your translation for the whole game. That's still rom hacking.

Then, if you feel like it's too much pain to type in hex editor and want to make a text extractor/inserter for yourself. Then you find a programming language that you think you can learn, and learn how to write some scripts to make hacking easier.

Actually I want to ask about programming language, like C++, Java, C, blah blah. And I want to ask which one I have to learn to hack ROM for DS and 3DS, and other console, too.

Click to expand...

It's already been stated that you DON'T need to learn any language to hack ROMs.

EDIT: You will also never be able to hack 3DS games, for two reasons
1. No 3D hexeditor exists, and probably will never exist
2. THE 3DS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, LET ALONE HACKED, WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU ASKING HOW TO HACK 3DS ROMS

That said, directly translating the text of a game will only involve hex editing and file replacement skills and such, but for translating an RPG you're going to want to make tools to export and import text, so C++ there (or Java), and you're most likely going to need to change some routines related to drawing the text (often to overcome character amount limits), so some ARM ASM as well.

It's already been stated that you DON'T need to learn any language to hack ROMs.

EDIT: You will also never be able to hack 3DS games, for two reasons
1. No 3D hexeditor exists, and probably will never exist
2. THE 3DS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, LET ALONE HACKED, WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU ASKING HOW TO HACK 3DS ROMS

See how annoying it is when all this BBCode comes into play?

Yeah.

EDIT2: Stupid double posts.
QUOTE(NDSno1 @ Jan 12 2011, 10:56 AM) I don't know if this related to ROM hacking, but don't ban me or delete this topic, please move it to someplace else that related.
I want to learn about hacking ROM for DS, Wii and 3DS, then what programing language I have to learn? C, C++, Java, ... ? Not only that, maybe hacking other console, too, like PS3, Xbox360, PSP. So which language these console use in common?

Click to expand...

NO, it's not just the 3ds he wants to hack. do not discourage him and don't make it sound as if he only wants to hack the 3DS.

When you say hack roms, then you need to be a bit more precise.
What exactly does "rom hacking" entail?

If you want to get a rom dump and remove AP, you need Assembler, Hex Editor, and maybe C++ knowledge.

To hack a super mario rom to edit levels, you need to know fuck all, and just download a rom editor that acomplishes that.

If you want to be thorough, you learn game development. That way, you gain an understanding how games come to life, what goes into them, and you can gain valuable knowledge in reverse engineering.

It helps to understand how games are structured, how their mechanics work, and how the code acomplishes just what it acomplishes. Because then, modifying ("hackin") things becomes much easier.

The same way you see the top hackers and software crackers getting hired in the software security industry, you need to try and put some sort of goal together. What is the ultimate purpose of your doing?

in my opinion, learn C++ and debug your own code using Assemlers from day ONE. Use assemblers to understand how your own code works, in order to come to native terms with assembler language. Idealy you want to look at the assembler, and read it like a page of (human readable) code, and understand what is happening.

Evo.lve, if you don't know what you're talking about, don't post.
He didn't ask to be attacked.

For the OP, you don't need to know programming to romhack, but if you want to make your own tools for games you wish to romhack, then you'll either need to learn programming or ask someone to make a tool for you. A lot of romhackers use C# and C++, so maybe start with C# since it's the easiest with the C language. if the game has a complicated font or something too complicated, then you may need to know ASM.

while were at it, i just want to ask. is learning how to hack roms time-consuming and should be given focus? i want to contribute something to the ds-scene but i'm currently taking classes about VB.Net, C# and ASP.Net. i don't want to engage into something that i cannot handle. or is it better if i finish the semester first, and wait for summer vacation?

while were at it, i just want to ask. is learning how to hack roms time-consuming and should be given focus? i want to contribute something to the ds-scene but i'm currently taking classes about VB.Net, C# and ASP.Net. i don't want to engage into something that i cannot handle. or is it better if i finish the semester first, and wait for summer vacation?

Click to expand...

Romhacking, programming and learning Japanese all take a while to learn.
Romhacking took me seven months, I'm still learning new file formats.